A project set up by Scotland's Moorland Forum for Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Government. The project started on 15 December 2014 and the report was published in early February 2016. The findings are important and are being reviewed with a view to developing further activity.

Sunday, 3 January 2016

The Final Furlong

We are entering the final stages of this project. The time available was always going to be short but we have achieved a lot in a short time.

The draft final report was forwarded to the members of the Review Panel and the Steering Group on 10th December with a request for comments to be returned to me by 6th January. These comments will help the Research Group refine the report ready for publication on 1st February.

I think the draft final Report confirms that the project has assembled a large amount of very relevant information and presented it clearly. This is confirmed by the feedback I have seen from early reviewers, but the aim will be to improve the report in the remaining time available.

I look forward to the event at Battleby, on 8 February, when Dr Aileen McLeod, MSP, Minister for Environment, Climate Change & Land Reform, will launch the final report to senior guests from Forum member organisations and elsewhere. The final activity that is currently planned, will be a briefing for MSPs at Holyrood on 25th February and it is significant that the Minister will be attending this briefing.